Crested Francolin (Francolinus sephaena grantii) - 14 July 2013. Kirawira Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park, Mara Region, Tanzania.



Female above; male below is less barred. This species was quite tame and approachable outside the camp dining area but are reportedly secretive away from protected areas. They are named for their habit of running with crown feathers raised, but the more relaxed birds I saw around the lodge never showed anything that looked like a crest.

Some authors split the distinctive coastal race F. s. rovuma under the name Kirk's Francolin. Also some authors place this species in the genus Dendroperdix (IOC) or Peliperdix (Sibley & Monroe).

Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter).
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